12 Ways to deal with Stress

Stress isn’t
always bad, but when it becomes too much such as chronic stress, or occur too
often, then it now becomes a problem.

Stress is
basically the human body responding to demands or threats.

Stress can
be good as it helps to protect us in times of danger. It can also be good when
there are challenges such as studying for an exam, doing a stage performance,
etc.

However, if
stress is prolonged, too frequent, and left untreated then there can be long
lasting negative effects such as depression, autoimmune diseases, eczema,
weight problems, and so on.

How to identify excessive stress

Being able
to detect when you are or someone is having too much stress isn’t easy. This is
because it is a response that can happen to anyone without notice, and then it
may become a normal part of your life.

Symptoms and signs of too much stress

Some of the
symptoms and signs of excessive stress are:

Having problems remembering things more often
than usual;

Being unhappy;

Going beyond the usual amount of alcohol
consumption;

Having more aches and pains;

Making poor judgements;

Feeling dizzy on a regular basis;

Having more or less sleep;

And being moody or angry more often.

What causes stress?

Stress is
caused by stressors, which are anything that will make the body respond to
demands or threats, such as a terrible relationship, buying a house,
pessimistic thinking, etc.

Nevertheless,
stress is different for each individual. So what might be stress for you, might
not be stress for another. In fact, while some people may suffer from stress,
others may thrive from it.

The Holmes
and Rahe stress scale has identified ten (10) major stressful life events that
can contribute to illness:

Death of spouse

Divorce

Marriage separation

Imprisonment

Death of a close family member

Injury or illness

Marriage

Job loss

Marriage reconciliation

Retirement

When is stress too much?

Stress is
too much when there are negative impacts to you on a regular basis or over an
extended period of time.

Have a good supportive network of friends and
family whom you can depend on in times of need such as babysitting your
child when you have an exam to study for, etc.

If you are able to determine when you need help
and when you can take care of the situation on your own, then you should
be able to deal with stressful situations such as planting seedlings in
your backyard yourself, but getting help to plant trees if they are much
bigger and heavier within a specific time frame.

If you are more optimistic than pessimistic about
life challenges, or you try to see the good in what is happening, then you
are more likely to cope with or reduce stress.

Also, if you are able to remain calm in most
situations, then it will help you to deal with stress.

Knowing what you are doing and preparing for it
can help to avoid or reduce stress. For example, if you are to leave early
enough to reach somewhere, then you won’t have to rush or even get stuck
in traffic jams.

Exercising or just keeping your body moving helps
in managing or reducing stress. This can be done such as walking your dog,
using the stairs instead of the escalator, etc.

Staying in contact with friends and family can help
to cope with stress, especially if done face to face as it has been
recorded as being able to calm the nervous system.

You can use your senses to deal with stress. Our
five (5) senses are tasting (gustation), feeling (somatosensation),
smelling (olfaction), hearing (audition) and seeing (vision). For example,
if listening to music keeps you calm and relaxed then listen to music. If reading a book such as Organic Health: Transform your health and achieve your goals organically helps to reduce and manage your
stress, then read it and practice the suggestions or activities given.

Being able to relax can help in dealing with
stress. So go ahead, have that warm shower; do your yoga or meditation,
etc.

Obviously, eating organic food will have health
benefits such as helping to reduce stress, especially if your consumption
includes a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Getting
enough rest appears to be evasive for many today but it is just as important.
So get enough rest as it does help to reduce stress and refreshes you.